Publicis scotches media report on Whirlpool, HP

Publicis India has categorically denied a recent report in a national business daily that suggested that it will win the HP and Whirlpool accounts

N. Shatrujeet.agencyfaqs!NEW DELHI

With all this frenetic activity surrounding the acquisition of smaller agencies in Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore, the adrenalin might by pumping overtime at Publicis India. But the agency is loath to the idea of being seen as too big for its boots.

Which is why Praveen Kenneth, CEO, Publicis India, categorically denies a report that appeared in the Business Standard dated January 12, 2001, which suggested that Publicis India is on the verge of winning the Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Whirlpool accounts, following global realignment.

In no uncertain terms, Kenneth told agencyfaqs! that the report is a "misrepresentation of facts". While he said that as the two accounts were globally aligned to Publicis "there is always a possibility of getting the accounts", he insisted that there was no indication whatsoever from either company to that effect. "We will have to work really hard and prove our mettle before anything concrete can happen," he added.

Internationally, the Publicis Group handles the advertising for Whirlpool in Australia, Europe and parts of Africa, while HP recently consolidated its media buying business with the agency. Interestingly, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners continues handling the creative communication for HP.

Following the appearance of the newspaper report, agencyfaqs! got in touch with Mudra Communications - the agency handling the HP business in India - for a reaction. "Irrespective of the global realignment, we have been told by the client that it is status quo, at least for the next three-four months," was the guarded reply.

For its part, Whirlpool of India dismissed the report as baseless. "There is absolutely no consideration about our moving the account from FCB-Ulka," says a senior executive at Whirlpool.

Kenneth, of course, refused to comment on whether or not Publicis plans to approach either company for a pitch.